Caliagua was a subcontractor to Granite Construction during the Alameda Corridor project. This project encompassed a significant enhancement of the area’s water infrastructure in addition to its pivotal transportation improvements. Recognizing the importance of water management in Southern California, Brutoco Engineering had been tasked with the development and integration of a comprehensive water system within the corridor. This included the construction of stormwater capture facilities, drainage systems, and water treatment plants designed to handle the runoff from the extensive rail networks.

Our role was the construction of the High Desert Power Plant’s cooling tower makeup water system, a vital component that supported the plant’s efficient and environmentally responsible power generation operations. The system provided a continuous supply of reclaimed water to the plant’s cooling towers, ensuring sustainable use of regional water resources while maintaining optimal performance.

Caliagua was responsible for the complete installation, testing, and commissioning of the reclaimed water makeup system. The work included procurement, delivery, and installation of 18-inch high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and carbon steel piping, along with all associated valves, fittings, and supports. Caliagua’s crews coordinated closely with suppliers and the owner’s engineering team to ensure full compliance with project specifications and construction sequencing requirements.

Field construction involved excavation, pipe laying, backfill, and mechanical assembly, followed by hydrostatic pressure testing and static load testing to confirm system integrity. Concrete foundations and pipe supports were installed to stabilize the aboveground portions of the system, and protective coatings were applied to carbon steel components to prevent corrosion in the arid Mojave Desert environment.
The scope also included collaboration with the plant’s electrical and controls contractors to integrate instrumentation, flow control, and automation for seamless operation with the cooling tower’s process systems.

Following successful startup and verification testing, the makeup water system was placed into service and turned over to the owner for operation.
Through careful planning, technical precision, and close coordination with project partners, Caliagua successfully delivered a fully operational and reliable water supply system that continues to support one of California’s largest combined-cycle power plants. The completed system contributed to the plant’s long-term sustainability goals and demonstrated Caliagua’s expertise in complex water infrastructure for energy and industrial facilities.

Community Benefit

The High Desert Power Plant project delivered long-term environmental and community benefits for the Victor Valley region. By constructing a system that allows the use of recycled and alternative water sources for cooling-tower operations, Caliagua helped the facility reduce its reliance on limited potable water supplies—an important achievement in one of California’s most drought-sensitive regions. The system supports the reuse of approximately 2,700 acre-feet of reclaimed water per year, conserving valuable drinking-water resources and lowering operational costs for the plant. In partnership with the Victor Valley Water Reclamation Authority, this infrastructure also strengthened the region’s recycled-water network, advancing sustainable water management and providing an enduring environmental benefit to the surrounding communities.

As a result of this project, the region has enjoyed these advantages:

• 2,700 acre-feet of recycled water reused annually, reducing demand on potable water supplies in the Victor Valley region.
• Integration with the Victor Valley Water Reclamation Authority’s recycled-water network, expanding local water-reuse capacity.
• Improved operational efficiency at the High Desert Power Plant through reliable, non-potable cooling water delivery.
• Reduced long-term operating costs and minimized vulnerability to drought-related water restrictions.
• Enhanced environmental stewardship by promoting sustainable use of reclaimed resources in California’s high desert.